What should India do now?
The sinking of the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena by a US submarine is a massive geopolitical escalation, especially because it happened in India’s strategic backyard (off the coast of Sri Lanka) immediately after the ship had participated in the Indian Navy’s MILAN-2026 multilateral exercises in Visakhapatnam.
Here is an analysis of what India should do next in response to this unprecedented event:
- Defend the Sanctity of Naval Diplomacy The IRIS Dena was an invited guest of the Indian Navy. Sinking a participant while it is returning home from a peaceful multilateral exercise sets a highly dangerous precedent. India must issue a strong diplomatic statement condemning the militarization of international waters in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). New Delhi needs to reassure all future partner nations that participating in Indian-hosted maritime exercises will not make their vessels targets.
- Ramp up Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) With the US 5th and 7th Fleets rapidly accelerating “Operation Epic Fury” against Iran, the Indian Ocean is now an active combat zone. The Indian Navy must immediately step up its surveillance. Deploying P-8I Neptune reconnaissance aircraft, surface task forces, and anti-submarine tracking will be critical to ensure that foreign naval skirmishes do not spill over into India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
- Safeguard the Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) India relies heavily on the IOR for energy imports and global trade. With the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and now the waters south of Sri Lanka seeing active torpedo and missile warfare, India must dynamically deploy naval escorts to protect Indian merchant ships and secure its vital energy supply chains from collateral damage.
- Balance Strategic Autonomy India finds itself caught between a close strategic partner (the United States) and a civilizational, regional partner (Iran). India should leverage its unique position—and its membership in the Quad—to push for immediate de-escalation, reminding the US and Israel that an open-ended naval war in the Indo-Pacific disrupts global commerce and stability.
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